Sabah to prioritise inclusive devt for women, health and social welfare in 2026, says Julita

KOTA KINABALU (Dec 16): Sabah will continue to prioritise inclusive development for all its citizens through programmes focused on women, health and social welfare, said State Women, Health and Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Julita Mojungki.

Delivering her ministry’s winding-up speech on the Sabah Budget 2026 at the state assembly here today, Julita outlined several key initiatives aimed at strengthening social support systems statewide.

Among them are the Sabah Women’s Affairs (JHEWA) BizBloom programme, which provides entrepreneurship training and mentorship for single mothers and women from lower-income households, as well as the Keluarga Sejahtera Wanita Unggul programme, which focuses on improving family management and health awareness.

Julita said her ministry would continue providing dialysis treatment support to 2,219 kidney patients and rolling out health initiatives under the Sabah Sejahtera scheme, which includes 100 new hemodialysis machines across 25 government facilities.

She underscored that the wellbeing of children is equally important, noting that social welfare programs will extend to 1,074 primary schools to ease the financial burden on parents.

Julita added that new facilities for the elderly and persons with disabilities (OKU), including a senior citizen and OKU complex in Inanam as well as day care centres in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Tawau, are expected to open in 2026.

“Our goal is to ensure every Sabahan, from children to the elderly and persons with disabilities, has access to health, social support and opportunities to thrive,” she said.

Continuing into 2026, she said her ministry will intensify efforts to promote gender equality and community harmony.

Programmes such as GENDERasi Harmoni, which has been expanded to 10 districts, aim to help rural communities better understand equal social roles, shared responsibilities and the importance of inclusive and harmonious living.

She said the ministry is also exploring digital platforms for social services to allow families to access welfare assistance and healthcare information online.

“This will make it easier for people to obtain the help they need without unnecessary travel,” she said.

Julita added that Sabah would strengthen mental health support, particularly for youth and caregivers of vulnerable groups, through community-based counselling and awareness campaigns.

She also highlighted plans to create sustainable community projects, including local economic initiatives and eco-friendly programmes in rural areas.

In addition, the ministry will expand partnerships with non-governmental organisations and the private sector to widen access to vocational training, entrepreneurship opportunities and social innovation programmes.

“Inclusive growth and long-term empowerment must reach every corner of Sabah,” she stressed.